BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1920, Page 8

BOROUGH AFFAIRS.

MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. - HYDRO-ELECTRIC WORKS. The New Plymouth Borough Council met last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr F. E. Wilson), Crs. J. Kibby, F. J.

Hill, W. F. Short, A. E. Sykes, and R. L. Parkin. An apology was received for the absence of Cr. v. Griffiths.

With regard to the Council's resolution asking for an explanation regarding the big difference in the estimates for the hydro-electric works, Messrs. Blair Mason, Lee and Owen, consulting engineers,, wrote that the information would be forwarded as soon as Mr Mason returned from the south. '

The consulting engineers (Messrs. Mason, Lee and Owen) presented a progress report jn connection with the hydroelectric extensions contract, for the period ending December 18. The- report stated that no work had been done at the intake since last report. In the tunnel the ground passed through was gradually becoming better, good ground coming in slowly from the roof. The heading was now a distance of 1105 feet, making the total distance November 13, IQ6 feet.

SUPPLY OF METAL. A letter was received from Mr, S. G. Smith, M.P., anent the efforts of the members of Parliament for Taranaki, local bodies, and Progress League for the re-opening of the Mt. Egmont quarry. He forwarded a copy of a letter from the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. J. G. Coutes), who stated that inquiries made indicated that the local bodies concerned did not guarantee to take more than yards, which was 12,000 yards less than* the quantity the Department was previously notified. The result of this reduced demand would be that price* would be correspondingly higher. It was estimated in June that the" metal could be supplied at approximately 8s per yd. if 60,000 cub. yds. were taken, though this price would be affected by advancing wages. On the same basis, however, the reduced output would mean increasing the price to over 13/-. The Minister remarked that the Department must be assured of a certain demand before opening the quarry, and the replies of the local bodies as to the quantities they could guarantee to purchase had been very disappointing.

In view of the nature of the Minister's reply, Mr. Smith urged that the Council review the matter of what quantity they could guarantee to take. He said it was quite apparent that unless the local bodies interested could see their way clear to increase their quantities nil metal, the question, of re-opening t,he quarry might he shelved. The supply of metal was so important to the whole of Taranaki that in the best interests of all it should be possible for a common understanding among local bodies being arrived at which would leflve the Public Works Department no option but to arrange for full supplies of metal. On the motion of the Mayor and Cr. TTayden it was decided that the matter be referred to the Progress League at its next meeting. GENKRAL.

The fees for dog registration in the borough for the year ending December, 1921, were fixed at 10a (reducible to 7s 6d) and 2s 6d for sheep and cattle dogs. The tender of Triggs and Denton (Christehureh) for the supply of dog collars was accepted. '